Battery terminal insulation

Abstract

The subject invention provides a battery pouch or container which is highly resistant to shorting. This electrical protection is produced by a folding of the packaging laminate such that the cut edge of the laminate is physically removed and electrically protected from the electrode tab which protrudes from the battery pouch. In one embodiment, the cut edge of the film is folded away from the electrode tab. In a preferred embodiment, the laminar packaging material includes a convex flap of material where the electrode traverses the package. The convex flap is folded away from the electrode tab without wrinkling or distorting the pouch shape. In an alternate embodiment, an intervening layer of insulative material is placed between the cut edge and the electrode tab.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for preparing a pouch which is useful for battery packaging, said method comprising: (a) providing a battery having at least one electrode tab protruding therefrom;   (b) forming a pouch to enclose said battery and partially enclosing said electrode tab; said pouch being formed from a laminar pouch material including a central metal foil, said laminar pouch material including at least one cut edge;   (c) providing a means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab, wherein said means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab comprises folding a section of the laminar pouch to physically separate the cut edge from the electrode tab.   
     
     
       2. A method for preparing a pouch which is useful for battery packaging, said method comprising: (a) providing a battery having at least one electrode tab protruding therefrom;   (b) forming a pouch to enclose said battery and partially enclosing said electrode tab; said pouch being formed from a laminar pouch material including a central metal foil, said laminar pouch material including at least one cut edge exposing said central metal foil;   (c) providing a means for separating said exposed central metal foil of said cut edge from said electrode tab, wherein said means for separating said exposed central metal foil of said cut edge from said electrode tab comprises providing an electrically insulative material disposed between the electrode tab and said cut edge of said exposed central metal foil of said pouch material adjacent the cut edge of the laminar pouch.   
     
     
       3. A battery package, said package comprising: (a) a battery having at least one electrode tab protruding therefrom;   (b) a pouch which encloses said battery, and which partially encloses said electrode tab, said pouch being formed from laminar pouch material including a central metal foil; said laminar pouch material having a cut edge proximal to said electrode tab;   (c) a means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab, wherein said means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab is an intervening tape constructed from nonconductive material, the tape covering the cut edge of the laminar pouch adjacent the electrode tab.   
     
     
       4. A battery package, said package comprising: (a) a battery having at least one electrode tab protruding therefrom;   (b) a pouch which encloses said battery, and which partially encloses said electrode tab, said pouch being formed from laminar pouch material including a central metal foil; said laminar pouch material having a cut edge exposing said central metal foil proximal to said electrode tab;   (c) a means for separating said cut edge exposing said central metal foil from said electrode tab wherein said means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab is an intervening tape constructed from nonconductive material, said tape adhered to the electrode tab and interposed between the tab and the pouch material adjacent the cut edge of the laminar pouch in a manner sufficient to prevent contact between said electrode tab and said central metal foil.   
     
     
       5. A battery package, said package comprising: (a) a battery having at least one electrode tab protruding therefrom;   (b) a pouch which encloses said battery, and which partially encloses said electrode tab, said pouch being formed from laminar pouch material including a central metal foil; said laminar pouch material having a cut edge proximal to said electrode tab;   (c) a means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab;   (d) wherein said means for separating said laminar pouch edge from said electrode tab comprises a fold in the laminar material such that the edge of the material is oriented to be distal to the electrode tab.   
     
     
       6. A battery package of claim 5 wherein a convex edge is present in the laminar material adjacent the cut edge, and said convex edge is folded back to remove the cut edge from the electrode tab. 
     
     
       7. A battery package, said package comprising: (a) a battery having at least one electrode tab protruding therefrom;   (b) a pouch which encloses said battery, and which partially encloses said electrode tab, said pouch being formed from laminar pouch material including a central metal foil; said laminar pouch material having a cut edge proximal to said electrode tab, said central metal foil being exposed at said cut edge;   (c) a means for separating said cut edge from said electrode tab comprising a nonconductive material disposed between said tab and said pouch material adjacent said cut edge in a manner sufficient to prevent contact between said electrode tab and said central metal foil exposed at said cut edge.